30 de dez de 2011

Education chief Michael Suen Ming-yeung, who is suffering from Legionnaires' disease, may have contracted it in his private washroom at the new Tamar government headquarters.
Centre for Health Protection controller Thomas Tsang Ho-fai said four water samples taken from the toilet tested positive for the Legionella bacteria.
Tsang said the findings are preliminary and that final results are expected in about two weeks.
Confirmation that Legionella bacteria was found on the 11th floor adds to the problems experienced by the new SAR government headquarters' East Wing, which include cost overruns, behind- schedule construction and complaints by users of substandard interior work.
Tsang tried to ease the fears of other users of the building by emphasizing that the center has not received any new reports of legionnaires' disease.
The bacteria was not found in water or other samples taken from Suen's home, Tsang added.
The center has suggested installing special water filters and antiseptic dispensers in the new government headquarters. As a precautionary step, the center and the departments of electrical and mechanical services, water supplies and architectural services have collected more water samples from the building for further tests. " The center has advised the building management on appropriate follow-up actions, including disinfection and risk- mitigation measures," He was admitted to Queen Mary Hospital on December 19 after contracting pneumonia.
Suen was in intensive care for a few days but his condition is now stable. His leave has been extended to January 3.Ho Pak-leung, director of microbiology at the University of Hong Kong, said it is "rather bad" for Legionella to be found in a new building.
"It's supposed to be a modern building. It's not good to find the bacteria here, as it is usually found in old buildings with poor maintenance," Ho said. "The building's design may be a reason."
Ho said the water supply system should be checked to see whether it is the source of infection.

WESTERNPORT, Md. — Public health officials say one resident of a western Maryland senior-citizen apartment complex has been diagnosed with Legionnaires disease.
The Allegany County Health Department announced the confirmed case Wednesday at the Grandview Apartments in Westernport.
The agency says it's investigating the source of the Legionella bacteria. The germs are usually found in water sources.
Meanwhile, the agency recommends that Grandview residents reduce their contact with water sprays and mists, including showers. The agency also recommends that residents use bottled water or water that has been boiled for five minutes.
Legionnaires disease isn't contagious. Its symptoms resemble pneumonia, including high fever, chest pain and cough.
The agency says 139 cases of Legionnaires disease have been reported in Maryland this year.

15 de dez de 2011

ST. CROIX - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has linked five past cases of Legionnaire's disease - reported between March 2010 and August 2011 - with stays at Marriott's Frenchman's Reef and Morning Star Beach Resort and Marriott's Frenchman's Cove, prompting remediation work to the resorts' water systems.
The V.I. Health Department has been "working closely" with a team of CDC specialists to monitor the remediation efforts at the resorts, after an investigation into the five past cases, according to a statement the Health Department released Monday.
The illness was found in stateside residents who had been guests at the resorts, said Health Department spokeswoman Eunice Bedminster. They required hospitalization but have since recovered, she said.
There have been no reports of employees affected at either site, according to the Health Department statement.
The statement indicates that Frenchman's Reef and Morningstar Beach Resort has hired a consultant who led a cleaning project of the affected areas and treated the water system. Test results show no existence of Legionella bacteria, although the Health Department statement said the test results have not yet been evaluated independently by the CDC.
Health had asked the resorts to notify those who could potentially be affected by the bacteria: guests and employees, Bedminster said.
The properties asked for an extension on a deadline that had been set, and it was granted, but the deadlines passed last week without the notification to guests and employees going out, Bedminster said.
She did not know if, after the deadline, the properties had made the requested notifications, she said.
The hotel provided The Daily News with a written statement that did not address guest notification:"Marriott takes hotel hygiene and cleanliness very seriously. As soon as we were notified of the possibility of the presence of Legionella bacteria we immediately began to work with the USVI Department of Health (DOH) to address the situation. The Frenchman's Reef and Morning Star Beach Resorts hired a consultant who led a cleaning project of affected areas and the treatment of the water system. "The latest test results taken after the implementation of these measures show no existence of Legionella bacteria in the samples tested. We have complied with the recommendations provided by the DOH, and we have successfully addressed the issue at the resort. The DOH has allowed the hotel to remain fully open for business and welcome our guests."
The Daily News spoke with Marriott Frenchman's Reef and Morning Star Beach Resort General Manager Jose Gonzalez Espinosa by phone and asked for comment on the Health Department's assertion that the resort did not make the notifications it was supposed to make by the deadline.
Gonzalez would not answer the questions unless they were in writing. The Daily News has a policy against submitting questions in writing because written Q and A stifles and slows follow-up and response.
The resort underwent a major renovation during the summer, closing May 3 and reopening on Oct. 6.
The Health Department's statement said that Frenchman's Cove has hired a consultant, and a "major threshold" in its remediation efforts is set to start this week.
Legionnaire's disease is a pneumonia caused by the Legionella bacteria, which lives in warm water supplies, said Dr. Lauri Hicks, a medical epidemiologist with the CDC. The bacteria that causes the disease does not pass from person to person.
"It really requires exposure to water aerosol that contains Legionella," she said, Exposure may occur from showering or with time spent in a whirlpool or hot tub where the bacteria that leads to Legionairre's disease is present, Hicks said.
The CDC informed the Health Department in October of the five Legionnaire's disease cases among past guests at the resorts, and the Health Department asked for the agency's help in investigating.
From Oct. 18 to 22, CDC specialists conducted testing, and the properties were alerted about the possible Legionella contamination, Bedminster said.
On Nov. 3, the Health Department notified each property of the CDC's conclusive findings and ordered them to immediately work on their water systems, including cleansing, superheating, cholorinating and hiring a private consultant experienced in eliminating Legionella from building water systems, according to the release.
More than six weeks later, the Health Department notified the public with the statement it released Monday.
Bedminster said that there had been no delay - and that remediation work began immediately.
"We have worked in good faith with both the resorts during what I have said was a monitoring process. We had some agreed-upon deadlines that had not been met, so we had to let the public know," she said.
Bedminster said that Health Department officials had discussed the possibility of enforcement actions with the Department of Labor and the Department of Planning and Natural Resources to get those deadlines met, but she did not know the outcome of the discussions.
"Safeguarding the public's health, including that of employees and guests, from exposure and threats are of the utmost importance to the Department of Health," acting Health Commissioner Mercedes Dullum said in the prepared statement. "DOH will continue to monitor this situation with assistance from the CDC. People should not be discouraged from traveling to or within the U.S. Virgin Islands."

14 de dez de 2011

OSHA estimates that 10,000 to 50,000 cases of Legionnaires' disease occur eachyeaftin the U.S. Legionella are a common type of bacteria that originate from warm water sources. The transmission of Legionella can occur when humans inhale aerosolized droplets of water containing the bacteria. CDC estimates that each year 8,000 to 18,000 people are hospitalized with Legionnaires' disease in the U.S.; however, this number may be significantly higher because up to 75% of infections are not diagnosed or reported. Joseph Alien, senior scientist with Environmental, Health and Engineering (EH&E), warns that employers can be liable if an outbreak occurs at the workplace."Legionnaires' disease is a serious illness," Alien says. "CDC estimates that 5% to 30% of people who develop Legionnaires' disease die from the infection. Companies can face significant financial liabilities due to potential litigation, productivity loss, adverse impact on the brand and expensive reactive mitigation measures from an outbreak or even an isolated case."Hot spots for Legionella are hot and cold potable hot systems, showers, water faucets, humidifiers, decorative fountains, cooling towers, evaporative condensers and coolers, ultrasonic misters and whirlpool baths, he says. Risk management plan before an outbreak occurs."Trying to react to an outbreak after the fact generally increases costs . . . creates a crisis situation that dramatically and adversely impacts the productivity of senior management that are involved in handling the incident, increases the risk that a mistake is made as companies 'react on the fly7 and may result in temporary closing or restriction of the use of facilities while the investigation is proceeding," Alien says.He adds that an effective plan requires a multidisciplinary team that communicates across all levels of a company - senior management, facilities, legal and public relations. It will ensure that potential hazards are identified, plans are in place to reduce the potential for Legionella proliferation and that the responsibilities of each team member are clearly delineated. According to" Alien, a good risk management plan would be . tailored to each specific building, would be easy to implement and would:* identify risk factors for Legionella and Legionnaires' disease, including equipment, environmental conditions and operational risks;* define clear roles and responsibilities for both prevention and response;* specify testing and maintenance frequency, procedures and interpretation of results;* document activities for any required notification to regulatory authorities;* automate notifications, facilitate data reviews and organize documents.Allen adds that the scientific team must have expertise in biosafety, engineering and building safety, exposure and risk assessment, epidemiology, industrial hygiene and risk communication. "A multidisciplinary approach is critical for success in both reactive situations and in the development of proactive measures, such as risk management plans," he says.The Risk Assessment is very import.

TRADE ASSOCIATION SAYS MORE MUST BE DONE TO COMBAT LEGIONNAIRES’ DISEASE

7 Dec, 2011 17:10 CET

Deaths and serious illness resulting from Legionnaires’ disease is still far too prevalent in hotels, hospitals and other public buildings, and is usually the consequence of poor maintenance regimes or complacency. The HVCA says more needs to be done to combat this ever-present threat.

7 December 2011 – Most people remember the tragic outbreak of legionnaires’ disease in 2002 in the town of Barrow-in-Furness in Cumbria, resulting in the deaths of seven members of the public with a further 180 people taken ill. Yet, almost 10 years on, incidents of Legionnaires’ disease in workplaces, hotels, hospitals and other public buildings are still occurring on a regular basis.
Legionnaires’ disease is a potentially fatal form of pneumonia which can affect anybody but primarily affects those who are more susceptible because of their age, those suffering from chronic respiratory or kidney disease and people whose immune system is impaired. Infection is caused by breathing in small droplets of water contaminated by the bacteria.
Water temperature between 20°C and 50°C is the range in which Legionella bacteria will proliferate most rapidly, with the optimum temperature believed to be 37°C. Legionella bacteria is however killed within a few minutes at water temperatures above 60°C.
Blane Judd, Chief Executive of the Heating and Ventilating Contractors’ Association (HVCA), says that a regular programme of inspection and maintenance of air conditioning, water holding and water supply systems is essential if future deaths from Legionnaires’ are to be avoided. Mr Judd comments, “On average there are approximately 300 reported cases of Legionnaires’ disease each year in the UK and when clusters of cases occur they can typically be traced back to poorly maintained cooling tower systems, air conditioning plant or hot and cold water systems in offices, factories, hotels, hospitals and other larger establishments.
“Legionnaires’ disease is a potentially fatal form of pneumonia but it is possible to significantly reduce the risk of creating the conditions in which the legionella bacteria thrive by taking important measures such as a programme of regular inspection and maintenance of susceptible plant and equipment including regular cleaning and disinfection.
“Building owners and occupiers should be aware of, and comply with, their legal obligations, and these are set out in a single document, published by the Health and Safety Commission (HSC), called ‘Legionnaires’ disease – The control of legionella bacteria in water systems’. This is a HSC Approved Code of Practice (ACoP), commonly referred to as L8.

US Centers for Disease Control and Prevent August report indicates cases tripled in the last ten years.
Legionnaires disease a potentially life-threatening pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria. The number of reported cases are tripled according to the CDC's report which had appeared in the August 19th Morbidity and Morality Weekly Report.
Flare-ups of the disease in New England this year are and unexplained according to health officials.
Maine, Massachusetts, Connecticut total cases confirmed have almost doubled since last year and many sharp increases in cases are being seen in northeastern states.
Monday, November 28th, an advisory to all state healthcare providers to look out for and report Legionnaires cases. Currently, 18 cases have been reported.
Legionnaires disease is caused by the inhaling of an infectious dose of Legionella bacteria most of the times found in contaminated water sources such as whirlpool spas, showers, cooling towers and faucets.
Legionnaires disease acquired its name from the 1976 outbreak at an American Legion convention in Philadelphia. This disease kills five to thirty percent of patients, between 8,000 to 18,000 people are hospitalized each year.
Legionnaires had come on strong in Massachusetts with 211 confirmed cases of the disease as November 23 upping the number of cases by 118 higher than 2010. Connecticut had seen 72 cases in comparison to the 47 last year.
This year New York 526 cases with Pennsylvania at 450 cases.
In July, outbreak of this disease was seen at the posh 4,000 room Aria Resort and Casino on the Vegas strip.
Other reported outbreaks have included Hamilton, Ontario four cases, a hotel in Ocean City, Maryland in September had three guests infected with the disease. Two nursing homes in Pittsburgh had a total of ten cases confirmed in September, three cases were hospitalized and no deaths had been reported.
Three residents of a Cleveland nursing and rehab facility had been hospitalized in June with the disease. HC info has cases listed which go as far back 1997.
With the growing population of older adults and other individuals who are more susceptible to the infection are more than likely to be part of the reason for the rising increase and most cases are not associated to foreign travel.
Outbreaks of Legionnaires disease is receiving the most attention by the media especially after 200 guests had fallen ill after attending a Playboy mansion party with at least four guests contracting the disease.
According to the Mayo Clinic Legionnaires disease usually develops within two to fourteen days after being exposed. Most of the times it starts with headache, muscle pain, chills and fever that maybe 104 or higher.
On the second or third day development of other signs and symptoms may include:
Cough that may bring up mucus or blood
Shortness of breath
Chest pain
Fatigue
Loss of appetite
Gastrointestinal symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea and nausea
Confusions or mental changes

Legionnaires disease usually affects the lungs however, it can on occasion cause an infection in wounds and other parts in the body which includes the heart.
Pontiac fever is a mild form of Legionnaires disease which could produce symptoms that include chills, headache, fever and muscle ache. This fever does not affect the lungs and symptoms usually diminish within two to five days.
If you believe you have had exposure to legionella bacteria see your healthcare practitioner. Mention any trips you have taken in the last two weeks and where you did stay. Prompt diagnosis and treatment of the disease can less the recovery time and prevent serious complications. If you are at high risk immediate attention is needed.
High risk category includes those people with a lower resistance to the disease. Some of the factors which could increase the risk include:
Organ transplants
Aged 45 or older
Heavy smoking
Weakened immune system
Underlying medical problems such as diabetes, cancer, respiratory disease
Certain drug therapies such as corticosteroids
Heavy consumption of alcoholic beverages

Besides being infected by inhaled microscopic water droplets containing the bacteria which could come from the shower spray, whirlpool, faucets, water dispersed through the ventilation system in large buildings other associated sources have included:
Hot tubs and whirlpools on cruise ships
Cooling towers in air conditioning systems
Swimming pools and Decorative fountains
Physical therapy equipment
Water systems in hotels, nursing homes and hospitals